Martin Burdette "Marty" Dusserre

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Martin Burdette Dusserre, aged 83, of San Clemente, California, who entered eternal life on May 29, 2025.

Marty was born August 5, 1941, in Long Beach (San Pedro), California, to Victor and Virginia (Wilson) Dusserre. Marty grew up in Long Beach with his younger brother, Jim, and attended St. Anthony High School. He pursued his passion in education and went on to become a life-long educator, receiving his Bachelor degree at Cal State University, Long Beach, and becoming a Spanish and English teacher. He expanded his education experiences in Uppsala, Sweden and St. Mary's College of California during his undergraduate years and in Madrid, Spain for an immersion experience during his early teaching years.

Marty worked in the public and private school system, both for the Anaheim Union High School District and at St. John Bosco High School. It was at Bosco that he connected so strongly to his passion for education and preparing young men to be leaders in their faith and in life. He went on to serve the students of Bosco beyond the classroom, spending ten years as Bosco's Athletic Director and eventually became the school's full-time business manager. In addition to his time working at Bosco, Marty spent many summers driving concrete trucks for Livingston-Graham, and he spent evenings teaching Spanish at Coastline Community College and Orange Coast College. He also served on committees with California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) – Southern Section.

It was at St. Anthony's High School that he met the love of his life, Kerry (Eckholdt), and with whom he would share 46 years of marriage. Kerry would also join the calling to serve as a member of Bosco's staff, and together they worked a combined 70+ years at Bosco before they both retired in 2011.

Family was paramount in Marty's life. He was a loving father to his two daughters, Michelle (Farrell) and Shawna (Dickerson), and valued every moment spent with them. Together Marty and Kerry were loving and involved parents to their daughters, whether it was through school, sports, and in their adult lives. He was a endearing father-in-law to Matt Farrell and Art Dickerson, and a cherished Grandpa and "Pawka" to his grandchildren – Brianna, Lyndsea, Kyle, Abby and Zoe, and great-grandchildren Jaxon, Tritt, Jamison, Pailynn, Charlotte and Alden.

In the years following the passing of his beloved Kerry in 2013, Marty began a new chapter in his life with Chelena Sotraidis. Marty and Chelena shared an incredible bond of healing after spousal loss and found love and happiness with one another. Together Marty and Chelena celebrated the wonderful dynamic of a beautifully blended family with the love and support of their adult children (Michelle, Shawna, Tony, Michael and Lisa).

Marty's life will be celebrated with a vigil at O'Connor Chapel on June 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Funeral ceremony will take place at Coast Hills Community Church on June 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM, followed immediately by a reception at Coast Hills Church. He will be laid to rest at All Souls Cemetery at a private burial with family.

Marty will be deeply missed but fondly remembered for his warm spirit, dedication to family, and unquenchable thirst for knowledge. His legacy will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace.